Mechanic&#39;s kit



Dec` 11, 1934.

H.L.KENNEDY MEGHANICS K1T Filed May 31, 1930 5 Sheets-Sheet l Dec. 11,1934. 1 KENNEDY 1,984,345

MECHANIC S KIT Filed May 3l, 1930 5 Sheets-Sheet 2 INVENTOR 7 H0 Ward L.lenned 15 1 BY .Y

ATTORNEY Z H. L.. KENNEDY MECHANTC'S RTT Dec. 11, 1934.

Filed May 3l, 1930 5 Sheets-Sheet 3 .in- T d\ TIF .51

- INVENTOR Howard L.

Patented Dec. 11, 1934 giwf-EN'r OFFICE MECHANICS KIT Howard L.`Kennedy, Van Wert, Ohio, assigner to Kennedy Manufacturing Company, VanWert," Ohio, a corporationof Indiana Application May 31, 11930, SerialNo. 458,034

7 Claims.

This invention relates to tool kits for me-v chanics, and particularlyto kits formed of sheet metal having a removable false front and aplurality of slide drawers.

One of the objects of the present invention is to provide a sheet metaltool kit of simple vcon-- struction in which the walls thereof arerigidly reinforced throughout.

A further object is to provide a sheet metal tool kit with end walls ofhollow constructionj in which the portions forming each hollow endA wallare secured together at spaced points rigidly reinforce the same. n

A still further object is to provide a sheet metal kit having a hingedcover portion provided with a handle-and a rigid reinforcing mea-nssurrounding the portion of the cover Where the handle is attachedthereto.

Another object is to provide a sheet metalk tool kit having a removablefalse front which is locked in closed position in front'of a series ofdrawers by means of'av hinged cover portion.

Another object is to provide a sheet metal tool ykit -having a seriesYof drawers with a removable false front in front of the drawers whichcan be removed only when the hinged cover of the box is in openposition.

With the foregoing and other objects in ViewVK which will beapparentfrom the detaileddescription to follow, this invention consists incertain novel features of construction and combinations of parts whichwillV be readily understood by those skilled in the .art to which theinvention appertains.

n the drawings which illustrate a suitable embodiment of the invention,

Figure l is a perspective view, of the improved kit, the cover portionbeing open, the false front being removed, and certain of thedrawersbeing.

in extended open position.

Fig. 2 is a fragmentary sectionof the false front showing .the method offorming the same,

taken on the line 2 2 of Fig. 4.

Fig. 3 line 3-3 of Fig. 5 showing the method of attaching the lockingmeans for `the false front to the front wall of the kit.

Fig. 4 is a plan view of the kit, one end of Y tion of the same beingbroken away to show @the kit in section.

is a section taken substantially on the (Cl. i90-4) Fig. 7 is anenlarged section taken substan-`lr` tially kon the line 7--7 of y Fig. 6showing thek locking means for the false front.

Fig.r 8 is a fragmentary side elevation of one of the slides for thedrawers. f v f Fig. 9 is a longitudinal section taken onthe line 9*-9 ofFig. 8. y y

Referring to the accompanying drawings in ,which like numerals refer tolike parts throughout the several views,the mechanics kit towhicli theimprovements .of the,v present invention are applied comprises a bottom1, a rear wall `2, hollow end walls 3,.-a false front 4, and a hingedcover 5. The bottom and rear wall are formed ofthe same piece of metal,vthe rear wall beingf` thereof being folded back :upon itself to providea smooth surface. The free edge of the `bottom wall l is bent upwardly asubstantial distance `to form a front ange 7 extending across :thefrontof the box, the edge metal of this flange being folded inwardlytoward the rear wall 2 and bent back upon itself to form a `supportingledge 8 for the false front 4to be` later described. v n

Each end wall 3 is of hollow construction and is formed of two pieces ofmetal 3a and 3b, the piece 3a. being of the same height Ias the rear:wall 2 and the piece 3b being of considerably `less length. The outerportion 3a of vthe end wall -is formed with a rear flange 9 and a frontVflange 10, the flange 10 being anged rearward- -ly at l1 inspacedrelationship to the body .portion of 'the'fportionv 3a. The innerportion 3b `of the end wall is formed with'marginal iianges l2 whichextend toward and abut against the body; portion of the end wall-portion3a, the forward flange l2slying within the space between vthe flange llandthe body portion of the piece` 3a Aand the flangell of the portion 3abeing overlapped with the portion 3b and securely welded thereto. f

The rear flange 12 of the portion 3b, as shown kin'rFig. 4,' is spacedfrom the rear ange 9 .of the portion Sa a distance'equal vtothe-thickness of theinetal of the rear `wall 2." As shown in Figs. 4 and6, the metal Vof the end wall .portion 3b at spaced intervals isdepressed to a frusto- `conical shape to abut against the metal of theend walliportion 3a where it is securely welded `thereto in order to.provide a rigid reinforced construction. Thenlowerl edge 13 of each endwall portion Sais flanged inwardly atl spaced `relationship' to `themarginal edge of the end wall portion 3b, as shown in Fig. 6. The upperedge of each end wall portion 3a, as shown in Fig. 6, is offset inwardlyto provide a shoulder portion 14 of the same height as the shoulderportion 6 of the rear wall 2, and the marginal edge thereof is bent backupon itself to provide a smooth surface in the same manner as the offsetportion of the rear wall 2. The rearwardly extending flange 11 of theend wall portion 3a, extends to the same height as the portion 3b, butthe flange portion 10 on which the flange 11 is formed extends to thesame height as the body of the end portion 3a. for a purpose to be laterdescribed.

In assembled condition the side edge of the rear wall 2 is receivedbetween the flange 9 of the portion 3a and the flange 12 of the `portion3b, and the edge of the bottom extends between the lower edge of the endwall portion 3b and the flange 13 of the end wall portion 3a. Theflanges 9 and 12 of each end Wall are securely welded to the rear wall 2and the flange 13 of each end wall is securely welded to the bottom 1.

The upper portion of the kit carries a suitable tray 15 formed from asingle piece of metal and having narrow rear and side flanges 16 whichare respectively welded to the rear wall 2 and the end wall portions 3a.The tray 15 is formed with a front portion 16a which is offset at itsupper edge to provide a shoulder 17 of the same height as the rear walland end wall shoulders 6 and 14, respectively, and the marginal edge ofthe offset portion thereof is doubled back upon itself to provide asmooth edged surface of the same height as the corresponding upper edgesof the rear wall 2 and end walls 3a.. The tray portion 15, as shown inFigs. 5 and 6, rests upon the upper edges of the opposite end wallportions 3b, and the front portion 16a thereof is overlapped with theupper portions of the end wall flanges 10 which are securely weldedthereto.

The front flange 7 of the bottom 1, the forward flanges 10 of the endwall portions 3a, and the front portion 16a of the tray 15, form aframework for receiving the false front 4 and provide an opening for thewithdrawal of the of the portions 4a and 4b are formed with overlappingflanges 18 and 19, respectively, which are preferably welded togetherand the lower edges thereof are clinched together to provide ahorizontal portion 20 which is adapted to seat on the ledge 8 of thebottom 1 and a depending portion 21 which extends downwardly beyond theledge 8, as shown in Fig. 5. The metal of the false front portion 4b isdepressed to a frustoconical shape at a number of points in a mannersimilar to the end wall portions, which abut against and are welded tothe portion 4a to provide a rigid nonflexible member. When in operativeposition, the false front is flush with the front of the box and is heldin position by a pair of locking pins 22 which extend through openingsin the flanges 18 and 19.

The pins 22 are carried by suitable housings 23, which are secured tothe inner side of the front tray portion 16a. The pins 22 are normallyheld in disengaged position by means of compression springs 24 and thepins are moved into engagement with the false front 4 by means ofstriker portions 25 which are secured to the inner side of the frontwall of the pivoted cover 5. When the cover is raised, the compressionsprings 24 automatically move the locking pins 22 out of engagement withthe false front so that the front can be removed. The portion 4a of thefalse front is formed with a central depression 26 which carries asuitable pull ring 27 secured within the depression to provide means formoving the false front outwardly.

When the false front is not in use, that is, when it is removed from theopening in the front of the kit it is supported by a pair of sheet metalmembers 28 that are secured to the bottom 1 of the kit below thelowermost tray portion. The portion 4b of the false front is formed witha depression 29 at its upper edge in order to give a nger hold inpulling the false front out from underneath the lowermost drawer.

The cover portion 5 is of conventional form and is pivoted by means of asuitable hinge 30 that is secured to the olfset portion of the rear wall2 and the end and front marginal edges thereof are bent baci: uponthemselves to present smooth surfaces. The shoulders 6, 14 and 17provided by the offset portions previously described, provide meanswhereby the end and side walls of the cover 5 may lie flush with thecorresponding walls of the kit when in closed position.

A suitable linkage mechanism 31 is secured to the top of the cover andto the offset portions of the end wall members 3a to prevent the coverfrom being swung back too far.

A handle 32 is secured to the cover inter# mediate its ends and sidesand the cover is reinforced at the point of attachment of the handletherewith by means of a reinforcement 33 of sheet metal, Thisreinforcement 33 is welded to the inner side cover top and is formedwith a continuous depression 34 presenting toward the cover andcompletely surrounding the points of attachment of the handle 32 withthe cover so that the cover is very rigidly reinforced. This reinforcedportion prevents excessive stress from being transmitted to a singlepoint on the cover.

The kit is provided with a pair of lower drawers 35 which extend acrossthe entire length of the kit. Above these two drawers the kit isprovided midway between its ends with a drop wall or partition 36 whichis formed with a flange that is secured to the under side of the bottomof the stationary tray 15 and with a flange which is secured to the rearwall 2 of the kit. Two narrow drawers 37 are positioned at one side ofthe partition 36 and three such narrow drawers 38 are positioned at theother side of the partition. Each of the drawers 35, 37 and 38 aresupported by suitable slides of the type shown in Figs. 8 and 9.

Each guide comprises a channel-shaped portion 39 secured to the end wallportion 3b, a similar channel-shaped portion 40 secured to an end of thedrawer and an H-shaped member 41 having flanges 42 that are guided inthe channel portions 43 of the members 39 and 40.

As shown in Fig. 6, the side flanges of the portions 39 and 40 are benttoward each other in spaced relation to the body portions of thechannels 39 and 40 which telescopically receive the portions 42 of the Hmember 41. Each of the channel members carries a ilat spring 44 which isengageable with a lug portion at the end of the H member to prevent thedrawer from being completely pulled out but which permit the drawer tobe extended beyond the front wall of the kit so that its contents willbe readily accessible. The outer channel portions 39 for the drawers aresecured to the end wall portions 3b and the inner channel portions 39for the shorter trays 37 and S8 are secured to the depending partitionmember 36. As shown in Figs.

8 and 9, the end of each channel portion 39 isformed with a raisedbutton portion 45 that is engageable within a corresponding depressionformed in the end wall portion 3b or the ends of the drawers to providea locating means so that the pieces can be spot welded to theirsupporting means in the proper position.

As shown in Figs. 1 and 6, the kit is provided with a suitable lock 46and fasteners li7 between the front wall of the cover and the frontportion of the tray which provide means for locking the box.

In closed position the kit has the appearance indicated in Fig. 5, thatis, the false front 4 is in position in front of the drawers and thecover is closed, the cover forcing the locking pins downwardly throughthe openings in the false front which together with the lower flange 21of the false front that engages the ledge 8, prevents the false frontfrom being removed.

When the lock 46 and fasteners 47 are released, the cover can then beswung to open position as indicated in Fig. 1, which releases therlocking pins from engagement with the false front. The false front isthen pulled outwardly by means of the handle portion 27 and can bepushed underneath the lowerniost tray 35 where it is supported by themembers 28. The drawers can then be pulled outwardly through the opening in the front of the box in order to give access to the contentsthereof.

The end walls of the kit and the falseiront which are reinforced in themanner previously described, are made very rigid which prevents flexingof the kit when it is full of tools and being carried by the handle.

The cover is also very securely reinforced, which prevents distortion ofthe cover while the kit is being carried.

The locking pins that are actuated by the cover provide very efficientmeans to lock the false front in position and which prevent access tothe trays by persons other than the owner when the cover is in lockedposition.

Furthermore, it is to be understood that the particular forms ofapparatus shown and described, and the particular procedure set forth,are presented for purposes of explanation and illustration and thatVarious modifications of said apparatus and procedure can be madewiththe appended claims. 1

What I claim is:

1. In a metal kit, end kwalls therefor,` each comprising a pair ofspaced sheet metal panels having flanged sides, the flanges extendingtoward each other with the flanges of one of said panels abuttingagainst the other of said panels, a portion of one of the flanges ofsaid last mentioned panel being bent parallel with the panel and securedin overlapping relationship with the other of said panels.

2. A sheet metal kit comprising integral bottom and krear walls,aremovable false front, end walls each comprising a pair of spacedparallel panels rigidly secured together, the inner of said panels beingof lesser height than the other of said panels, and a tray seating onthe upper edges of said inner panels and secured rto the rear wall andto said outer panels, the front wall of said tray extending upwardly tothe plane of the upper edges of said outer panels and rear wall to forma front wall for said kit above said false front.

`3. A sheet metal kit comprising integral bottom and rear walls, aremovable false front, end walls each comprising a pair of spacedparallel panels, the inner of which has depressed portions in the bodythereof abutting against the outer panel and being of lesser height thanthe outer panel, and a tray seated on the upper edges of said innerpanels having a front wall portion extending to the height of andsecured to said outer panels, the forward ends of said end walls, thebottom of said tray and said bottom wall forming an opening for thereception of Said removable false front.

4. A sheet metal kit comprising a bottom, a rear wall, end walls, eachoi said end walls including an outer panel and an inner panel of lesserheight than the outer panel, said panels being secured together, a trayportion extending between said outer panels and seating on the ends ofsaid inner panels, said tray having a front flange extending betweensaid end walls parallel to saidk rear wall and secured to said outerpanels, and a cover hinged to said rear wall to close in the spaceprovided by said tray, side panels and rear wall.

5. A sheet metal kit comprising a bottom, a rear wall secured to saidbottom, spaced outer end panels having bottom flanges secured to saidbottom and rear fianges secured to said rear wall, a tray extendingbetween said end panels above said `bottom and being secured thereto, aninner panel at each end of said kit abutting said bottom and tray andhaving front and rear flanges abutting the adjacent end panel, said rearflange also abutting said rear wall, and a false front for closing theopening defined by said tray, bottom and side panels.

6. A sheet metal kit comprising a bottom, a reall wall secured to saidbottom, spaced outer end panels having bottom flanges secured to saidbottom and rearl flanges secured to said rear wall, a tray extendingbetween said end panels above said bottom and being secured thereto, aninner panel at each end of said kit abutting said bottom and tray andhaving front and rear flanges abutting the adjacent end panel, said rearflange also abutting said rear wall, said inner panels having depressedportions secured Yto said outer end panels, and a false front forclosing the opening defined by said tray, bottom and side panels.

' 7. In a sheet metal kit, an end wall comprising an outer panel havingside flanges, and an inner panel of lesser height having side flangesabutting said outer panel and spaced from said side flanges of saidouter panel, one of said side iianges of said outer panel having an edgeportion extending parallel to and secured to said inner panel.

- HOWARD L. KENNEDY.`

